Octo-Mom Says No to Free Childcare, Housing

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Nadya Suleman, 33, gave birth to the octuplets -- six boys and two girls -- by Caesarian section on Jan. 26, nine-and-a-half weeks premature.

LOS ANGELES -- Octuplet mom Nadya Suleman rejected an offer by a nonprofit group that planned to provide round-the-clock nursing care to her 14 children, while allowing her entire family to live in a home together, an attorney for the group said Friday.

The offer by Angels in Waiting was made two weeks ago, and the group gave Suleman until Thursday to accept the proposal. The offer would have relied on public donations to help fund the infants' care.

Octo-mom Says No to Help

Octo-mom Nadya Suleman rejected help for her and her children. (Published Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009)

Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents the group, said Suleman spoke with Angels in Waiting founder Linda West-Conforti and seemed to be more interested in "capitalizing on her infants" and doing a reality television show.

"Linda explained to her that Angels in Waiting would not agree to that because of their concern for possible infections that the infants might incur with camera equipment and many other people in the home in addition to the many professionals who would be with the children providing the care," Allred said. "Linda did not wish to risk the health of the little ones."

Octuplets Shown For First Time

Questions have been continuing about Suleman's ability to care for the eight new children and the six she already had. Suleman is unmarried and unemployed.

She told talk-show host "Dr. Phil" McGraw this week that she feared Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center might not release her octuplets to her until she proves she can care for them.

Famously Large Families: Duggars Welcome #19

Suleman, 33, and her six children had been staying with her mother at a Whittier home that is now in danger of foreclosure.

The octuplets -- six boys and two girls -- were born Jan. 26, nine and a half weeks premature. They are the nation's longest-surviving octuplets.

Hospital officials said Thursday the infants were doing well. All eight of the babies are breathing room air and no longer need intravenous supplemental nutrition.

"All eight of the babies are gaining weight and continue being fed donated pasteurized breast milk. The introduction of nipple (bottle) feeding is beginning slowly," according to a hospital statement.